Re: Improving face-to-face communication can increase productivity

Agreement: I Agree Body: Dear Editor A doctor's face-to-face attention is central to humane medical care, not only for efficiency, but for the development of relational empathy. Face-to-face consultations allow a doctor to fully engage with a patient, helping them to feel understood and to retain their dignity. Sadly, distancing of doctors from their patients, which was essential during the COVID pandemic to control spread of the virus, has persisted with an increasing incidence of remote consultations. The picture is mirrored in medical undergraduate education with a decline in bedside teaching, exposure to clinician role models, and a rise in virtual learning and podcasts. In primary care there are now cohorts of patients and doctors who have never experience personalised care. Yours sincerely, David Jeffrey No competing Interests: Yes The following competing Interests: Electronic Publication Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026 - 10:24 AI use: No, I have not used AI Highwire Comment Subject: Improving face-to-face communication can increase productivity Workflow State: Released Full Title: Re: Improving face-to-face communication can increase productivity Highwire Comment Response to: Improving face-to-face communication can increase productivity Check this box if you would like your letter to appear anonymously:: Last Name: Jeffrey First name and middle initial: David Email: dijeffrey@btinternet.com Address: West Malvern Occupation: Retired palliative care consultant Affiliation: Retired BMJ: Additional Article Info: Rapid response

Agreement: I Agree Body: Dear Editor A doctor's face-to-face attention is central to humane medical care, not only for efficiency, but for the development of relational empathy. Face-to-face consultations allow a doctor to fully engage with a patient, helping them to feel understood and to retain their dignity.

Sadly, distancing of doctors from their patients, which was essential during the COVID pandemic to control spread of the virus, has persisted with an increasing incidence of remote consultations. The picture is mirrored in medical undergraduate education with a decline in bedside teaching, exposure to clinician role models, and a rise in virtual learning and podcasts. In primary care there are now cohorts of patients and doctors who have never experience personalised care.

Yours sincerely, David Jeffrey No competing Interests: Yes The following competing Interests: Electronic